Defenseman Dan DeKeyser, the best available college free agent and a Michigan native, agreed to terms with the Red Wings on Friday, according to multiple reports. Sportsnet's John Shannon broke the news.

Dan DeKeyser is 6-3, 198 pounds and a good puck-moving defenseman. He's also, as of Friday, a Detroit Red Wing. (AP Photo)

DeKeyser, 23, immediately becomes one of the Red Wings' very best prospects, particularly on defense. Detroit has been forced to play several fringe NHL defensemen this season and has only Brendan Smith projected as a potential top-four player.

DeKeyser just finished his career at Western Michigan and chose the Red Wings over several teams including the Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks. Several scouting reports say he is ready to contribute immediately at the NHL level, but the Red Wings bring prospects along slowly and are unlikely to rush DeKeyser into the lineup, whether they need him or not.

DeKeyser just finished his career at Western Michigan and chose the Red Wings over several teams including the Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks. Several scouting reports say he is ready to contribute immediately at the NHL level, but the Red Wings bring prospects along slowly and are unlikely to rush DeKeyser into the lineup, whether they need him or not.

"He'll be with us the rest of the regular season. When he plays is up to Mike Babcock, but we're not holding tryouts. We're trying to make the playoffs. Danny understands that we're in a playoff race," GM Ken Holland told the Detroit Free Press.

DeKeyser will practice with the team on Saturday, but won't play Sunday when the Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks, or Monday against the Colorado Avalanche.

“He’s the total package,” a Western Conference scout recently told Sports Illustrated. “He put on some muscle this year, but he projects out to as a stronger player still. He’s got quick feet … great acceleration. Classic mobile defenseman. And he plays it smart. He’ll kill penalties, he’ll play late in close games. Just a very reliable kid.”

The Nashville Predators were one of many to put on a full-court press for DeKeyser, who was always believed to favor the Red Wings.

“He’s 6-foot-3, he’s got great mobility, and he’s got a very nice defensive presence,” Nashville assistant general manager Paul Fenton told The Tennessean. “He uses his size, his reach, his mobility to fend guys off. He’s a guy that’s going to stop you defensively and he can make a first pass, so he’s the kind of defenseman that we are attracted to here.”